Woman posts bail following neglect charge

March 14, 2014

West Point resident Debora Moore posted bail on a $725 bond after a very brief stay in the Clay County Detention Center following an animal neglect charge as well as a resisting arrest charge.
Moore was hit with the latter charges Tuesday after a West Point Police Department officer responded to reports of a dead dog Monday at the Greenwood Cemetery.
The officer, according to the incident report provided by the WPPD, phoned in the assistance of West Pointâ€™s animal control officer, who noticed a dead blue Pit Bull in a â€śblack barrel.â€ť
The barrel, according to the report, was located on Mooreâ€™s property at 507 E. Churchill Road. Upon further inspection, the responding police officer noticed two Pit Bulls restrained by a 3-foot length of chain in Mooreâ€™s backyard.
Per the report, neither animal was within reach of water or food for proper nourishment. There was also a â€śbarrel ... put out for shelterâ€ť for the animals, but neither was able to reach it due to the short chain.
According to the report, although the blue Pit Bull found in the barrel was located on her property, Moore told police the dog had been missing. She told police all three animals belonged to her. After the officer questioned Moore about the lack of food and water for the animals, â€śshe said they did not have any.â€ť
Per the report, the responding officer described the brown Pit Bull as â€śmalnourished,â€ť and could see both the ribs and hip bones of the animal. No further information was available on the condition of the other Pit Bull.
The animal control officer issued two citations for not keeping the dogs in an enclosed pen, which is mandated by city ordinance. Section 4-9 of West Pointâ€™s animal ordinance states an animal classified as â€śviciousâ€ť (which includes Pit Bulls) must be restricted to an enclosed structure. Moore was also advised she could be charged for neglect.